Month: June 2024

The United Nations has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing obstruction of humanitarian agencies’ efforts to deliver aid to those in need in Sudan, noting that famine is “imminent” if the situation persists.

19 leaders of global humanitarian organizations, including twelve affiliated with the UN, have cautioned that continuing to impede the swift and broad delivery of aid to those in need in Sudan will result in “more deaths.” They called on all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access, and work towards a ceasefire.

In this context, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stated that famine could spread across large parts of Sudan, leading to more people fleeing to neighboring countries and increasing incidences of disease and malnutrition among children.

During a press conference in Geneva today, Laerke highlighted that approximately 18 million people in Sudan are already facing severe hunger, wit
h 3.6 million children suffering from acute malnutrition.

Laerke pointed out that “movement across conflict lines to parts of Khartoum, Darfur, Al Jazirah, and Kordofan has been halted since mid-December last year.” He added that in March and April of this year, nearly 860,000 people in these regions were deprived of humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Leni Kinzli, spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan, confirmed that convoys headed to central Darfur have reached their final destinations. However, convoys destined for 12 locations in the southern region, including displacement camps in Nyala, are still en route.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, now in its second year as of mid-April, has resulted in the world’s largest displacement crisis.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The social media platform Threads, affiliated with Instagram, has announced the launch of a new desktop interface update that allows users to customize how content is displayed by pinning multiple columns on the screen.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram and overseer of Threads, stated, “We’re starting to roll out the new threads.net on desktop globally, so you can customize and personalize what you see.” “We have a lot of great ideas to make this the best website to share ideas, so stay tuned for more and let us know if you have any suggestions.” Users can now click the “pin” icon in the lower-left corner of the new desktop interface to add more columns to the screen, incorporating elements like “Trending, Following, Likes, Saved, Search, Profile,” and more.

Additionally, users can access a shared user interface to view recommended content and saved posts for later access. Each column features a menu with options such as unpinning the column and turning off automatic content updates.

Source: Qatar News Agen
cy

Dakar, The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the religious attaché at the Kingdom’s embassy in Senegal, yesterday launched the program titled, “Your Healing Is Our Hope” at the Fann University Hospital in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, in the presence of the acting undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Awad bin Sabti Al-Anazi, Saudi Ambassador to Senegal Saad bin Abdullah Al-Nifaie, and other officials.

Following the launch, the Saudi delegation visited the patients and distributed gifts, as the director of the University Hospital in Senegal, Dr. Khadija Sar, expressed her happiness with such valuable initiatives that would alleviate the concerns of patients and bring joy to their hearts, and she praised the humanitarian work provided by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques worldwide.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Tokyo, The Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr emphasized the exceptional nature of the relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan over the last 70 years.

Dr. Binzagr’s remarks were made during a press conference for Japanese media and was organized by Arab News Japan and was held at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on Friday on the occasion of the conclusion of last week’s Saudi Japan Business Forum, which was attended by prominent Saudi ministers and business executives.

He expressed his belief that the next 70 years will be even more significant, as both nations strive to diversify beyond the traditional anchors of their relationship, foreseeing a future of mutual prosperity and growth.

Ambassador Binzagr highlighted the potential of the new relationship in exploring new sources of energy that will benefit both countries. He emphasized the importance of asserting their relevance in new global realities, which will involve working together to co-create values in emerging tec
hnologies, as well as elements of soft power such as sports and entertainment.

Ambassador Binzagr said that there has always been a tremendous interest in Japan, stemming from the products Japan produced and exported to the world including softer products such as anime that have had a profound effect on a rising curiosity from a whole generation in Saudi Arabia that is increasingly choosing Japan as a destination to visit.

Dr. Binzagr highlighted the deep appeal of Japanese culture to the youth of Saudi Arabia, not just at a superficial level, but at a profound level that has sparked a desire to visit and study in Japan, to learn Japanese and understand the history and culture of the country. The Ambassador pointed that this cultural dimension will be an additional pillar in the already strong relationship between the two nations, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures.

The Ambassador hopes that a reciprocal feeling will develop within the Japanese to learn more about Sa
udi Arabia. The Ambassador Binzagr added that the Saudi Vision 2030 has opened the doors to tourists and allowed Japanese and others the opportunity to discover more about the history and culture of the Kingdom.

Ambassador Binzagr reiterated the importance of strong, sustainable relations that are built on shared interests and values. He emphasized that both Saudi Arabia and Japan share a strong commitment to global peace and the significance of robust multilateral institutions.

He also reiterated that this shared commitment will not only ensure the stability of their relations but also pave the way for further decades of friendly and fruitful collaboration between the two nations.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ attempts to undermine the efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), by classifying it as a terrorist organization and lifting the immunity of its employees, who are carrying out their humanitarian role in alleviating the human tragedy suffered by the Palestinian people.

In a statement, Albudaiwi stressed that the Israeli occupation forces are obligated to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations in accordance with international and humanitarian resolutions, emphasizing, at the same time, the need for the international community to support UNRWA’s work and efforts, and to put an end to the Israeli occupation forces’ illegal practices.

Moreover, the GCC Secretary General reiterated the GCC countries’ firm positions regarding the Palestinian cause, as being the central and primary issue for Arabs and Muslims,
supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Dakar, The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, held a meeting on Thursday with the board of trustees of the Islamic Higher Institute in the Republic of Senegal, headed by the acting undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Awad bin Sabti Al-Anazi, and in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Senegal Saad bin Abdullah Al-Nafaie.

During the meeting, Al-Anazi reviewed the Kingdom’s role in serving Islam and Muslims, including serving the Muslims of Senegal by establishing the Higher Islamic Institute, where over 700 students from 11 countries study.

The board also discussed topics listed on the meeting agenda and took recommendations regarding them.

Source: Saudi Press Agency